The Santa Barbara Independent

Santa Barbara’s Hospitality Game-Changers

Cover Story By Matt Kettmann

This is how the Acme, Companion, and Good Lion restaurant groups changed our dining culture.

Plans for 44-Room Hotel in Santa Barbara Survive Appeal

Business By Ryan P. Cruz

Concerns were raised over the hotel’s mixed-use designation and underground parking lot.

Santa Barbara County to Allow Camping, Special Events on Some Ag Land

Business By Jean Yamamura

Despite “tremendous potential for conflict,” the Board of Supervisors approves a new Agriculture Enterprise Ordinance to give farmers and ranchers new business opportunities.

Santa Barbara Unified Vows to Keep All Students Safe, Above Harmful ‘National Rhetoric’

Education By Callie Fausey

The school board adopts a resolution committing to protect LGBTQ+ and undocumented students.

Art & Soul Opens A New Gallery in Santa Barbara’s Arts District

Visual Arts By Madeline Slogoff

Mother-daughter business duo’s second gallery opens with ‘Santa Barbara: The Art of Place’ exhibition featuring Brad Betts, John Baran, Pedro De La Cruz, and Sylvan Butera Rich.

Santa Barbara Supervisors Grant Senior Mobile Home Housing 10-Month Reprieve

Housing By Nick Welsh

The supervisors extend November’s temporary conversion ban so that permanent zoning changes could be enacted to preserve affordable senior housing at mobile home parks.

Santa Barbara Supervisors Give Miramar Green Light on Affordable Housing and Retail Project

Housing By Christina McDermott

The supervisors unanimously denied all appeals against the expansion project on Tuesday.

Grand Opening of Art & Soul in the ARTS District

Thu, Dec 12 5:00 PM

SANTA BARBARA

Mosaic Makers Market – Holiday Night Market

Fri, Dec 13 5:00 PM

Santa Barbara

4th Annual Cookie Walk

Sun, Dec 15 9:00 AM

Santa Barbara

Holiday Mythic Stories Seminar

Sun, Dec 15 2:00 PM

Goleta

Santa Barbara Treble Clef Chorus Holiday Concert

Sun, Dec 15 3:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Gem Faire

Fri, Dec 13 12:00 PM

Santa Barbara

SBHS 2024 Annual Fall Dance Recital

Fri, Dec 13 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

“Moonlight Reflections with Garbo”

Sat, Dec 14 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

multimedia Stories

City Applauds Lions Club and Volunteers for Another Spectacular Old Town Goleta Holiday Parade

Thousands of people lined Hollister Avenue on Saturday evening and were entertained by more than 80 parade entries and 1,700 participants.

A Jazzy Night with the Tina Schlieske Quintet

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Santa Barbara Lobero Theatre hosts ‘The Good Life’.

Answering the Call for CAW

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More than 350 works of art were “Ready to Hang” at Santa Barbara at Community Arts Workshop’s annual exhibition and fundraiser.

Slammed Into a Fun Night with the Brawlin’ Betties

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Santa Barbara’s roller derby team whips up a victory against Antelope Valley’s Wasteland.

Off Register Is Off the Charts for Creativity and Community

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Santa Barbara’s first art book and print fair brings more than 1,800 visitors to SBCAW for a day of creative inspiration.

‘Unite to Light the Night’ Ignites Fun and Fundraising at Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop

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More than 500 attendees enjoyed light-themed art and activities, raising more than $145,000 for the Santa Barbara–based international nonprofit.

Santa Barbara’s Library Plaza Is Open at Last

The vibrant new community space is the first landmark named in honor of the late philanthropist Michael Towbes.

Ahoy, “Mystic Whaler”!

The two-masted tall ship, a floating classroom for Central Coast students, brings a new crew aboard.

Santa Barbara County Veterans Stand Down 2024 Helps Hundreds of Military Vets

At the one-day event at the Santa Maria Fairpark on Saturday, veterans had access to almost 120 different services, including haircuts, legal services, educational services, addiction treatment, counseling, food, vision screenings, pet care, and more.

The Great Debate over Measure P

Lanny Ebenstein and Wade Cowper face off against Marsha Croninger and Dale Francisco over Santa Barbara City College’s proposed $198 million bond to improve campus facilities.